Concept Mapping Jon Kolko Professor Austin Center for

Concept Mapping Jon Kolko Professor, Austin Center for Design

Concept Map A representation of a system that sacrifices accuracy for comprehensibility; a tool for sensemaking.

Concept Map A representation of a system that sacrifices accuracy for comprehensibility; a tool for sensemaking. A CONCEPT MAP/ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Visualizes both the forest and the trees Rarely has a “beginning” and “end” Helps people find their way Provides direction and instruction Forces selectivity, abstraction, prioritization and hierarchy Is visual (a tool for perception) Is semantic (a tool for cognition) Represents the user’s mental model of a how a system might work Can also represent the designer’s manifest model of how a system might appear

Concept Map We’ll use a concept map to understand the organization and boundaries of a complex system. Think of it as a translation between words and visuals – a way of jumping from a set of written requirements to an initial design schema.

For Example… Baseball is play ed on is a 2 -Team Sport play ed in played by d rvise supe by Offensive Team nine sect ions calle d Defensive Team Innings Infield consists of Runner Catcher Left Fielder Short Stop 1 st Baseman 2 nd Baseman Center Fielder 3 rd Baseman throws Right Fielder Pitcher stands on Mound Home Plate a

For Example… Nodes (nouns) are main branches Baseball is play ed on is a 2 -Team Sport play ed in played by d rvise supe by Offensive Team nine sect ions calle d Defensive Team Innings Infield consists of Runner Catcher Left Fielder Short Stop 1 st Baseman 2 nd Baseman Center Fielder 3 rd Baseman throws Right Fielder Pitcher stands on Mound Home Plate a

For Example… Actions (verbs) link the nodes Baseball is play ed on is a 2 -Team Sport play ed in played by d rvise supe by Offensive Team nine sect ions calle d Defensive Team Innings Infield consists of Runner Catcher Left Fielder Short Stop 1 st Baseman 2 nd Baseman Center Fielder 3 rd Baseman throws Right Fielder Pitcher stands on Mound Home Plate a

Creating a Concept Map 1. Create a matrix showing the relations of terms List terms. Identify the main elements that make up the system; lean on your contextual research to understand the words that matter to the users the most. Create empty matrix, plotting the words against themselves. Identify relationships; these are qualitative and require interpretation. 10

Creating a Concept Map 2. Identify the main branches of the map. Use frequency of connections, as well as common sense. Create the backbone or structure of the map so that it makes a cohesive sentence. 11

Creating a Concept Map 3. Fill in the rest of the structure Be sure to represent all of the elements in the system. 12

Creating a Concept Map 4. Enhance with visual design Use visual design to clarify and make the content more accessible. 13

For example… Making a concept map of AC 4 D. Social Entrepreneurship Autonomous Confidence Project Management Sketching Branding Roadmaps Strategist Behavior Impact Sarcasm Visual Design Creativity Theory of Change Jon Kolko Wicked Problems Fun Beer Whiteboards Mobile

Mobile Whiteboards Beer Fun Wicked Problems Jon Kolko Theory of Change Creativity Visual Design Sarcasm Impact Behavior Strategist Roadmaps Branding Sketching Project Mgmt Confidence Autonomous Soc. Ent

Mobile Whiteboards Beer Fun Wicked Problems Jon Kolko Theory of Change Creativity Visual Design Sarcasm Impact Behavior Strategist Roadmaps Branding Sketching Project Mgmt Confidence Autonomous Soc. Ent

Mobile Whiteboards Beer Fun Wicked Problems Jon Kolko Theory of Change Creativity Visual Design Sarcasm Impact Behavior Strategist Roadmaps Branding Sketching Project Mgmt Confidence Autonomous Soc. Ent

Mobile Whiteboards Beer Fun Wicked Problems Jon Kolko Theory of Change Creativity Visual Design Sarcasm Impact Behavior Strategist Roadmaps Branding Sketching Project Mgmt Confidence Autonomous Soc. Ent

Mobile Whiteboards Beer Fun Wicked Problems Jon Kolko Theory of Change Creativity Visual Design Sarcasm Impact Behavior Strategist Roadmaps Branding Sketching Project Mgmt Confidence Autonomous Soc. Ent

AC 4 D teaches Social Entrepreneurship Where students become Autonomous To drive Impact In the context of Wicked Problems

AC 4 D Beer Fun Sarcas m Visual Design teaches Built through Social Entrepreneurship Confidence Project Mgmt te nc ies lik e Where students become Which require co m pe Autonomous Strategy Roadmaps Using methods like Impact Us To drive in g Sketching Based on changing In the context of Theory of Change Wicked Problems Behavior

AC 4 D Beer Fun Sarcas m Visual Design teaches Built through Social Entrepreneurship Confidence Project Mgmt te nc ies lik e Where students become Which require co m pe Autonomous Strategy Roadmaps Using methods like Impact Us To drive in g Sketching Based on changing In the context of Theory of Change Wicked Problems Behavior

Concept Map, Recap A representation of a system that sacrifices accuracy for comprehensibility; a tool for sensemaking. A CONCEPT MAP/ HOW TO MAKE IT/ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 6. 7. 8. 9. Visualizes both the forest and the trees Rarely has a “beginning” and “end” Helps people find their way Provides direction and instruction Forces selectivity, abstraction, prioritization and hierarchy Is visual (a tool for perception) Is semantic (a tool for cognition) Represents the user’s mental model of a how a system might work Can also represent the designer’s manifest model of how a system might appear 2. 3. 4. Create a matrix showing the relations of terms Identify the main branches of the map Fill in the rest of the structure Enhance with visual design

Jon Kolko Director, Austin Center for Design jkolko@ac 4 d. com Download our free book, Wicked Problems: Problems Worth Solving, at http: //www. wickedproblems. com